Description

We are looking for an Estimating Manager at CESSCO Fabrication & Engineering to join our team in Edmonton, AB. This role is responsible for leading and overseeing all estimating activities for the company and ensuring the accurate and timely preparation of estimates, quotations, and commercial proposals in alignment with customer requirements, company standards, fabrication capabilities, and strategic business objectives. The successful candidate will provide leadership to the estimating team while working collaboratively with Engineering, Production, Quality, Procurement, and Project Management to support successful project execution and business growth. The role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring active participation in bid development, commercial review, customer engagement, workload coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives. Knowledge of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, customer specifications, industrial standards, commercial and contractual terms and conditions, and quality and safety requirements is critical. Our Estimating Manager must also of course have a strong understanding of pressure vessel fabrication, welding, materials, and the industrial manufacturing process. That is why we are looking for someone with at least 10 years of experience in estimating pressure vessel, heavy industrial fabrication, or related industries. Furthermore, we're would like to see a minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing estimating teams or commercial proposal functions. Candidates with a college diploma or university degree in Engineering Technology, Mechanical Design, Construction Management, or a related discipline are preferred. We would also consider a CET, PMP, or related professional designation an asset. This is a full-time role with a 40-hour work week and an annual salary of $120,000. It is a primarily office-based position with regular interaction with production facilities and shop operations. As such, there is periodic exposure to fabrication shop environments requiring PPE. This role also requires occasional travel for customer meetings, site visits, or industry engagements as required. If you are interested in applying for this role, please submit your application through the form on this page.

Duties

Estimating Leadership & Commercial Management

• Lead the preparation and review of detailed cost estimates, quotations, and commercial proposals for pressure vessels, heavy steel fabrication, components, and related industrial projects.
  • Ensure estimates accurately reflect:
  • Customer specifications and inquiry requirements
  • Material, labour, subcontract, and equipment costs
  • Fabrication methods and production capabilities
  • Schedule and delivery considerations
  • Commercial and contractual risks
• Oversee the development and maintenance of estimating standards, templates, historical cost databases, and pricing methodologies.
• Support strategic bid/no-bid evaluations based on workload, capability, risk, and profitability considerations.
• Participate in customer meetings, bid clarification meetings, and pre-award discussions as required.
• Coordinate proposal development activities to ensure complete, accurate, and competitive submissions.
• Maintain proactive follow-up with customers after proposal submission to assess bid status, address clarifications, support customer review processes, and actively pursue opportunities through award.
• Track and document bid outcomes, including successful and unsuccessful proposals, to identify market conditions, pricing competitiveness, customer concerns, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain customer feedback and bid result intelligence to support estimating accuracy, commercial strategy, proposal quality, and future business development efforts.
• Review customer purchase orders and contract documentation to ensure alignment with quotations and negotiated terms.
• Work closely with Contracts and Project Management to identify scope changes and assess impacts to cost, schedule, and execution strategy.
• Support the development of Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Time & Material (T&M), Lump Sum, and hybrid commercial proposals as required.

Team Leadership & Supervision

• Direct, mentor, and develop the estimating team while fostering a high-performance and collaborative work environment.
• Coordinate estimating workloads and priorities to ensure timely response to customer inquiries and proposal deadlines.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and development of estimating personnel.
• Establish departmental expectations, processes, and performance standards.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration between Estimating, Engineering, Production, Quality, Procurement, and Project Management teams.

Proposal Development & Risk Review

• Lead multidisciplinary estimate reviews involving Engineering, Quality, Production, and Procurement to ensure complete scope definition and execution alignment.
• Identify technical, commercial, schedule, and fabrication risks associated with project opportunities.
• Ensure proposals clearly communicate scope inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, clarifications, and commercial conditions.
• Evaluate customer specifications, standards, and contract terms for impacts to pricing, schedule, quality, and execution.
• Review subcontractor and vendor quotations for completeness, compliance, and commercial competitiveness.
• Support continuous improvement in estimate accuracy, proposal quality, and project handoff processes.

Process Improvement & Department Coordination

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives within the Estimating & PMO functions to improve efficiency, consistency, and estimate accuracy.
• Support the integration of estimating processes with project management, production planning, and operational execution.
• Assist in the development and refinement of KPI tracking and estimating performance metrics.
• Participate in strategic planning and business development initiatives as required.
• Support implementation and optimization of estimating software, tools, and reporting systems.
• Maintain strong communication and coordination with all departments to support operational alignment and successful project execution.

Other Responsibilities

• Represent the company in customer discussions, commercial reviews, and industry engagements as required.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
• Contribute to the development of estimating procedures, standards, and best practices.
• Perform any other duties, responsibilities, or tasks assigned by the General Manager to support business objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in estimating pressure vessels, heavy industrial fabrication, or related industries.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing estimating teams or commercial proposal functions.
• Strong understanding of pressure vessel fabrication, welding, materials, and industrial manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of:
  • ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
  • Customer specifications and industrial standards
  • Commercial and contractual terms and conditions
  • Quality and safety compliance requirements
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, datasheets, and fabrication requirements.
• Experience preparing complex multidisciplinary estimates and proposals.
• Strong understanding of fabrication scheduling, labour planning, and execution considerations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and Project.
• Experience with estimating software and ERP systems considered an asset.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced industrial environment with competing priorities.

Education

• College diploma or university degree in Engineering Technology, Mechanical Design, Construction Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• CET, PMP, or related professional designation considered an asset.

Additional Info

Work Environment & Conditions

• Primarily office-based with regular interaction with production facilities and shop operations.
• Periodic exposure to fabrication shop environments requiring PPE.
• Occasional travel for customer meetings, site visits, or industry engagements as required.

Benefits

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Vision care
• Company Pension Plan